The Commercial Motor Vehicles Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) Grant empowers NAPFTDS members to utilize federal funding to provide truck driving training to U.S. Military veterans, including National Guard members, Reservists, and select family members of veterans.

Additionally, this grant allows refugees and individuals from underrepresented communities to receive funding for truck driving training.

The deadline for submitting applications is 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, April 19. Eligible applicants must be either an accredited institution or a non-accredited institution listed on an Eligible Training Provider List under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program.

“FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses,” said agency officials. “FMCSA’s program of awarding grants for operator safety training furthers that mission. The CMVOST grant program supports the Secretary’s strategic goals. Its purpose is to train individuals in the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles. This program will prioritize training for current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard and Reservists.”

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration foresees awarding approximately 15 grants, with a federal funding limit set at $200,000 per award. Interested parties are encouraged to apply before the specified deadline.

Source: The Trucker

The post Grants Available to National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools Members appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“When we improve technology, training, and tools to make our roadways safer for truck and bus drivers, everyone benefits,” said Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation. “The Biden-Harris Administration is proud to announce more than $180 million to make commercial vehicle driving safer and more efficient while creating onramps for veterans and military families entering these great careers.”

The funding avenues are accessible through five distinct discretionary grant programs, each designed with specific goals:

1. High Priority Innovative Technology Deployment Grant Program: This program supports groundbreaking projects that advance technological capabilities and encourage the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications. These applications include truck parking information management systems and other CMV operations. The program aims to support and maintain CMV information systems/networks, improve safety and productivity of CMVs and commercial drivers, and reduce costs associated with CMV operations and regulatory requirements.
2. High Priority Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Grant Program: Geared towards funding CMV safety-related activities, this program focuses on increasing public awareness and education on CMV safety. It targets unsafe driving in high-risk crash corridors, demonstrates new technologies to enhance CMV safety, improves safety data, and supports projects aligning with FMCSA’s mission of enhancing CMV safety nationwide.
3. Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant Program: This program allocates funds to organizations providing CMV operator training. The primary goal is to improve training accessibility for current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, along with underserved and refugee communities.
4. Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation Grant Program: Dedicated to supporting the implementation and enhancement of the national commercial driver’s license program, this initiative focuses on ensuring each CDL driver maintains only one driving record and licensing document, commonly known as “One Driver — One License — One Record.”
5. High Priority Enforcement Training and Support Grant Program: This program finances the development and delivery of motor carrier safety training to non-Federal employees engaged in CMV enforcement activities. The training adheres to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Hazardous Materials Regulations, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Out-of-Service criteria. Additionally, it supports the creation of related training materials to enhance awareness, education, and overall improvement of CMV safety.

“FMCSA’s core mission is safety. That’s a big job, and it’s one we cannot do alone,” said Sue Lawless, FMCSA’s acting deputy administrator. “This grant funding is one way we bring in safety partners to help reduce crashes involving large trucks and buses. We are proud to support the critical CMV safety work happening across the country.”

Source: Truckers News

The post $180 Million Awarded to Safety-Related Transportation Programs appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Out of this sum, $797,000 has been granted through the Iowa Workforce Development’s “CDL Infrastructure Grant.” This substantial funding aims to alleviate the program’s backlog, which currently faces demand up to three times its existing capacity.

The college’s strategic utilization of the Iowa CDL Infrastructure Grant involves setting up a new CDL training site in Muscatine, expanding the Blong Technology Center in Davenport with three additional DOT-approved training ranges, and acquiring four modern tractor-trailer combinations equipped with electronic logging devices.

“Due to constraints related to equipment and the number of facilities, the demand for our CDL program is outpacing our ability to train everyone. By establishing a new training facility in Muscatine and expanding those at the Blong, we will more than double our capacity for students,” said Matt Schmit, EICC’s dean of manufacturing and skilled trades.

Given the urgent demand for qualified drivers in eastern Iowa, heightened interest across various demographics has been observed.

“In our region, truck drivers are consistently in high demand,” he said. “We have the interest from students, demand from local employers, and funds to connect more students to employment.”

Considering the state’s projection that Iowa will require over 10,000 commercial drivers annually until 2030, the state has distributed a total of $4.8 million in CDL Infrastructure Grants to 10 community colleges. This initiative is anticipated to train an extra 1,305 drivers each year.

“The pathway to finding a job as a truck driver, one of our most-needed occupations, runs through getting a CDL license,” said Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. “It’s important that we do everything we can to not only make it easier for individuals to obtain these licenses but also to support the long-term viability of the programs that made it possible to gain that experience right here in Iowa.”

Furthermore, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges has received $80,460 from the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training grant program. Designed to enhance operator safety training for CDL holders, this grant, set by the U.S. Congress, prioritizes assisting entities that recruit and train current or former U.S. Armed Forces members and their spouses in obtaining a CDL. EICC’s allocation will establish a program dedicated to training service members.

Source: Transport Topics

The post $875K in Federal Grants Work to Grow Iowa College’s Trucking Driving Program appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“The 10 projects selected for funding will help advance digital construction nationwide because they will serve as models for other state and local transportation agencies to adopt these best practices,” said Shailen Bhatt, Federal Highway Administrator. “With funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these technologies will help us more quickly deliver the transportation system of the 21st century.”

Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the ADCMS program, which is part of FHWA’s Technology and Innovation Deployment Program, allocates a total of $85 million over five years. The grants act as incentives for state departments of transportation to enhance construction professionals’ access to meaningful, accurate, and user-friendly data through advanced software modeling tools.

The program’s goals include accelerating the adoption of advanced digital construction management systems throughout the project lifecycle for increased productivity and effective project management; facilitating more timely and productive information-sharing by reducing reliance on paper; developing and deploying best practices on construction sites; encouraging increased technology adoption and deployment by states and local governments; and enhancing transparency through real-time information sharing.

The selected state and respective budgets include:

• California DOT — $3,920,800
• Connecticut DOT — $4,497,696
• Delaware DOT — $4 million
• Illinois DOT — $4,500,000
• Iowa DOT — $1,501,200
• Minnesota DOT — $2,160,000
• Oklahoma DOT — $3,079,440
• Pennsylvania DOT — $3,910,000
• Utah DOT — $5 million
• Washington State DOT — $1,350,000

Each project aims to focus on information-sharing, reduce paper dependency, enhance productivity, and achieve cost savings during project delivery, setting precedents for the nationwide adoption and deployment of digital construction technologies.

The funded initiatives range from facilitating better data management in California to automating data collection processes in Delaware, with goals like improving safety, reducing reliance on paper, and streamlining construction operations through digital tools and technology.

Source: The Trucker

The post Millions Granted to Help Speed up Nationwide Construction Projects appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Programs, were made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. This program will allocate up to $100 million in grants each year, helping to bring transformative ideas to life.

“As we undertake the most ambitious infrastructure investment in generations, thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can and must plan for the transportation needs of the future,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “From connected vehicles that make driving safer, to smart traffic signals that reduce congestion, to sensors to detect the quality of pavement to help prioritize repair, our SMART grants will fund technology that makes people’s lives better in communities across America.”

The SMART program is dedicated to funding innovation with a clear purpose. The focus is on developing data and technology capacity and expertise. The program is seeking proposals from public sector entities to lead the way in demonstration projects that tackle important transportation issues. The domains they are most interested in will address key transportation issues, including the following:

• Vehicle technology, like automation and connectivity
• Systems innovation, like delivery and logistics, traffic signals, smart grid, and data integration
• And new ways to monitor and manage infrastructure, like sensors and UAS

“Achieving our transportation priorities related to safety, economic strength, equity, and climate requires bold investment in new technologies and approaches,” said Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Science Officer at US DOT. “SMART supports a broad portfolio of projects across the country that will serve as beacons as we move toward a transportation system that is data-driven, values-based, and technology-enabled.”

The $60 million Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was created to improve transportation and enhance safety for drivers and transit users.

This national initiative aims to showcase advanced technologies that can significantly cut travel times while addressing climate change and environmental justice concerns.

ATTAIN-eligible projects will be evaluated based on their ability to reduce air pollution, prioritize disadvantaged communities, and foster economic growth by creating employment opportunities.

“As we level the playing field and improve the travel experience for everyone, we need to promote the use of state-of-the-art technologies, and the ATTAIN program does just that,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “The Biden-Harris Administration has taken a program with a track record of delivering innovation through the use of advanced technologies and made it truly forward-looking by refocusing its goals to include promoting equity and tackling climate change, in addition to creating jobs and delivering positive economic impact.”

Source: The Trucker

The post $160 Million in Funding Available for Transportation Technology Projects appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

With the aim of improving the CDL acquisition process and expanding training programs, this funding is a clear signal of the government’s commitment to supporting the trucking industry and ensuring skilled drivers are ready to hit the road.

“Every day, we all count on food, clothing, medicine and other goods that reach us thanks to America’s truck drivers,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “With these grants, we are helping states bring more well-trained drivers into this essential field, strengthening our supply chains for years to come.”

FMCSA is awarding over $44 million to states and other entities for the operation of national CDL programs. This funding will support the expedited issuance and renewal of CDLs, as well as the exchange of conviction and disqualification data between states.

In addition, these funds will be used to implement safety regulations in line with the National Roadway Safety Strategy. The grant will also contribute to the development of outreach materials to combat human trafficking and educate CDL drivers.

Some of the projects funded include hiring state personnel to reduce delays in CDL skills testing, improving CDL reporting, ensuring accurate driver records, and providing training for CDL skills test examiners.

Thanks to an investment of over $3 million from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, recipients of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training grant will be able to increase their training capacity. This will benefit veterans, their family members, underserved communities, refugees, and other Americans who want to safely operate CMVs, obtain CDLs, and pursue careers in truck and bus driving.

“This essential funding provided through the (Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training) grant program will help expand and diversify the pool of trained drivers, with an important focus on attracting veterans and individuals from underserved and refugee communities,” FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson said in statement. “We’re proud that these grants are giving priority to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard, Reservists and their family members, to pursue a commercial driver’s license.”

Source: Land Line

The post Federal Agency Allocates $48 Million to Boost Truck Driver Training and Strengthen Supply Chain appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

This major funding comes from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill, signed into law by President Biden. By prioritizing the widespread use of electric vehicles in schools and public transit, he aims to fight climate change and promote a greener future.

“Every day, millions of Americans climb aboard over 60,000 buses to get to work, to school, doctors’ appointments, everywhere they need to be,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a call with reporters. “These are unprecedented levels of investment when it comes to putting modern cleaner buses on the road.”

The U.S. government has invested a total of $3.3 billion in grants for buses and infrastructure, with plans to award an additional $5 billion in the next three years. This funding will improve public health by reducing diesel exhaust emissions and make maintenance easier.

There were 475 project proposals applying for the grants, totaling $8.7 billion in requests, highlighting the demand for this funding. Some of the grants will be used to purchase 30 electric battery buses and chargers in Seattle, convert a bus garage to electric in Washington D.C., and provide funding to Iowa City and the Seneca Nation in Western New York.

Source: Transport Topics

The post USDOT Awards $1.7 Billion for Zero-Emissions Buses Across 46 States and Territories appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

In an effort to create equity and reduce the gender and racial wealth gap, a strategy has been launched promoting investments in overlooked and underestimated entrepreneurs. This initiative provides much-needed resources for individuals striving towards economic success.

Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, and business leaders Bill Rogers of Truist Financial and Luz Urrutia from Accion Opportunity Fund united at Coppin State University, a historically Black college in the city of Baltimore, to announce the grant and their commitment to explore the impact of this work in Baltimore and beyond.

“Truist Foundation recognizes the need for more tangible resources for women and people of color entrepreneurs,” said Lynette Bell, president of Truist Foundation. “Truck drivers quite literally drive our economy, and we are honored to partner with Accion Opportunity Fund to ensure that more first-time truck owners have a path towards affordable capital. This new Down Payment Assistance Program will help create quality job opportunities in our communities and propel our local economies forward.”

Studies have shown that women and entrepreneurs of color have historically experienced greater barriers in securing finances to start or expand their businesses. The Down Payment Assistance Fund has been created to help these groups level the playing field, allowing more people to participate in the trucking industry, through the grant’s support.

“We are grateful for this new relationship with Truist Foundation, which will provide critical support for women and people of color in the trucking industry,” Urrutia said. “Access to capital and resources should not be a barrier for first-time truck owners looking to drive wealth creation for themselves and our broader economy. The Down Payment Assistance Program will provide new opportunities for economic mobility for these entrepreneurs who are too often shut out of the traditional financial system.”

In the past year, Accion Opportunity Fund provided an unprecedented amount of capital to small businesses across America. Not only did they disburse a total of $113 million in loans to entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, but since 2010 their trucking lending program has surpassed over $360 million with more than 6,300 individual loans, including over 5,700 which went directly to helping first-time truck buyers get on the road.

“As a transportation engineer, I know the strong opportunities for entrepreneurship and greater financial capital that exist in the transportation industry. We must ensure historically disadvantaged communities are included in these opportunities for growth,” Miller said. “Today, Accion Opportunity Fund and Truist Foundation are taking meaningful steps to level the playing field and the Moore-Miller administration is grateful for their partnership as we work to create pathways to work, wages and wealth for all Marylanders across all sectors.”

Baltimore is seeing a surge in small business ownership among Black, Indigenous and people of color individuals. Though this sector has been booming nationwide since the onset of COVID-19, many minority owners are faced with greater scrutiny when it comes to securing loans. Fortunately for these entrepreneurs, Accion Opportunity Fund is helping create equal opportunities by providing access to credit – setting them up for financial success that leads to household wealth and security well beyond what wage earners typically experience.

“The collaboration between Accion Opportunity Fund and Truist Foundation aligns with our commitment to financially empowering our minority and women entrepreneurs in the trucking industry,” Scott said. “A few months ago, we announced a $10,000 hiring and retention bonus to eligible existing and new city employees who require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to work. Now, through the Accion Opportunity Fund, we are equitably providing access to affordable capital that allows truck drivers to establish wealth for themselves and scale their business. It is the gift that keeps on giving.”

Source: The Trucker

The post Unleashing the Potential of Women and Minority Truckers: $1.5M Grant Ready to Help Change Lives appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.